Elementary Classroom Teacher

Elementary School Teacher

Teach pupils at the elementary level basic academic, social, and other formative skills in keeping with the school's Catholic character and Gospel values. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students. Assign and grade class work and homework. Read books to entire classes or small groups. Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments in order to evaluate students' progress. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators in order to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems. Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their children's priorities and resource needs. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, diocesan policies, and administrative regulations. Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks. Guide and counsel students with adjustment and/or academic problems, or special academic interests. Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help. Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states, diocese, and schools. Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play. Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress. Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors. Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of elementary school programs. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration. Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injuries and damage. Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling. Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence for Act 48. Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities. Organize and label materials, and display students' work. Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required. Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine student strengths and areas of need. Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers. Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities, in order to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play. Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading. Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies. Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms. Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests. Prepare and supervise students for Mass as well as other sacramental preparation.

Abilities Needed for: "Elementary School Teacher" Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Written Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Fluency of Ideas -- The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). Deductive Reasoning -- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Inductive Reasoning -- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Originality -- The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Selective Attention -- The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. Category Flexibility -- The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. Flexibility of Closure -- The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Must be able to perform all the technological requirements of classroom management. Must be able to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and in an outdoor environment. Must be able to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in both a normal classroom environment and in an outdoor setting. Must have the physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Must be able to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities Required) Must possess a Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in elementary education or a related field. Teaching certification preferred, or be willing to work towards obtaining one. Must possess the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community. Must comply with PA State clearance requirements. Must be a Catholic in good standing if teaching religion. Otherwise, must be willing to respect the teachings of the Catholic Church.